The declaration, issued by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger calls for action before the next global agreement on climate change is reached. The declaration commits signers to the exchanged of incentive programs, best practices, adaptation strategies and technology transfer.

The nonbinding declaration establishes a framework for negotiators at the current United Nation talks toward a new climate treaty being held in Poznan, Poland. The next international climate agreement will be negotiated and signed in Copenhagen December 2009.

The declaration sets in motion various workgroups to develop sector specific policy positions on industries producing the most greenhouse gases - forestry, agriculture, cement, transportation, energy, iron and aluminum.